The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-17
THE OHIO CYCLONE.
Additional Details of the Destruction-An
Appeal from the Mayor of St. CiairSville.

WHEELING ". Va, April 16-The origin of
the whirlwind which devastated large section
of Belmont county. Ohio. yesterday afternoon
has been definitely fixed. A farmer living just
north of LloydsviIle, village sixteen miles west
of this city, saw the column of dust and leaves
rise whore two depressions in the rolling ground
allowed two currents Of wind to cross at right
angles. A little eddy started. sucking up leaves
and dirt and momentarilv increasing in size I'M
til it formed column from the earth apparently
to the sky, which advanced with fearful velocity,
through erratic course, in general easterly
direction, the larger and upper end keeping a
course more nearly straight and the lower end,
referred to by eye-witnesses as the tail. lashing
about. striking house here and there and de-
mollshing 1t, and then not touching the earth
Tor perhaps hundreds OF yards.
When the wind struck st. Clairsville it was
split In two, and assembled in whirling columns
and uniting in great mass Of black clouds in the
heavens. The destruction at 81. Clairsville was,
If anything. underestimate by last nights dis
patches. No adequate idea can be conveyed in
words of the scene of ruin and desolation where
the tornado struck. The streets were strewn
with wreckage. and in some places the roads
were for time impossible with broken trees,
Frustrated telegraph poles. wires and fences
There was a rush of sight-seers to ST Glars
vile to-day. telegraph communication being
cut off. there was great anxiety to learn definite
ly how bad the situation of affairs was. No cas-
uaties were reported last night To-day the
following are reported: G. W. Troll, manager of
the Bella:re e ST. Clairsvie railroad, has frac-
tured arm; j. ". Riley, right leg broken and in
ternal injuries A little of S. W. Cochrane,
Northern railway express man lcolored1 was
| fatally injured.
Mayor Davis of St Clairsville to-day sent out
| the following appeal. addressed to the Mayors OF
| Wheeling, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, To-
| ledo Dayton, Sprip cfeld, GAINESVILLE, Pittsburg,
| and others
Our village has been visited by terrific cy-
| clone, and a large number of worthy people
have suffered loss of property. who are unable to
make repairs The people of the village who
would be able to render assistance have large
| Losses of their own to meet AID is needed. and
| any contributions sent to the undersigned will
| be placed in the hands of committee appoin ted
to see that they are used to assist those unable
to help themselves"
| At Martins Ferry the scene in and around the
devastated districts was lively one this morn
| ing, hundreds of amateur and professional build
ers being busily engaged in replacing roofs
Strengthening under pinning and lifting houses
| back on their old grounds. The unfortunate
| residents are apparently taking the matter phil
| oSophically and are making immediate arrange
| ments for rebuilding their old sites such Of
| the houses have been totally demolished
| Much damage discovered to-day. which
| though the separate items are small, increase
the aggregate materially. The distress hero il
even greater than at ST. Clairsvile. the loser
being in most cases poor working people. 4
| meeting was held this afternoon and commit
;. tee appointed, with Mayor Kellar at its head, t.
| administer to the wants of the sufferers. Mean!
sent to the Mayor will be we'll placed. as nearly
| fifty families have no shelter except what is al
| forded by skatng-rink at their disposal.